Our Faithful Flock

  I’m so excited—three of our chickens have started laying their adorable little eggs! They’re tiny, but oh my goodness, they’re just the cutest things. Today brought a bit of unexpected chicken drama. I accidentally left one of the girls outside the run while the other five were locked in. I didn’t notice until I checked the camera and saw her wandering happily around the yard. When I went out to bring her back in, she was living her best life—scratching, pecking, and exploring like she owned the place. Meanwhile, the five inside were tattling up a storm! Oh, the squawking! You’d think they were filing formal complaints about the injustice. They really are so much like children. School starts tomorrow, and the Early Learning Center kicked off yesterday. The past few days have been filled with early mornings, late nights, and a to-do list that never ends. I’m running on coffee and determination, but I know it’s going to be an amazing year. With the rush of back-to-school, my ...

  Let’s be honest—raising chickens the way we’ve done it is downright bougie. Between the custom coop, automatic doors, fans, cameras, and misting systems, we’ve invested way more than we’ll ever make back in eggs. But these girls? They’re worth every penny. They bring so much joy with their quirky antics that I often find myself just sitting and watching them, laughing out loud. Take, for example, the way they react to new treats. You’d think I was offering them poison. They’ll cock their heads, inspecting the item suspiciously with one eye like it’s some kind of trick. Every. Single. Time. And then there’s the mister system. We installed it to help them cool down during the hottest afternoons. But instead of enjoying the refreshing mist, they panic when it turns on—squawking and running into their coop to hide until it shuts off. Then, once it stops, they come out like nothing happened. Which, of course, completely defeats the purpose. Maybe one day they’ll figure it out. Or...

  This morning started slow and quiet. I stepped outside, let the chickens roam, sipped my coffee, and just rested in the presence of the Lord. And look who joined me! 😂 In the middle of all our to-dos and responsibilities, it’s easy to push aside quiet time with God. But those moments are what truly center us. My reading today was from James 3:17 (AMP): “But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving, courteous, considerate, gentle, reasonable and willing to listen, full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].” That’s the kind of wisdom I want to walk in—peaceful, steady, and full of compassion. One devotion reminded me that it’s often the little things that shake our peace: a rough interaction, unexpected traffic, or a change in plans. So my prayer today is simple: Lord, help me walk in peace—especially in the little things.

Our day started with toddler pageant queens having full-blown meltdowns in the airport while our flight was delayed for hours. We finally arrive in Denver and had another lengthy wait. Just when we thought we were boarding—surprise! A smoke test happened and filled the area with artificial smoke.  Then  Starbucks closed the moment I ordered.  Made it to Grand Junction and there were no Ubers available. So we waited 30 minutes for a taxi… only to get a driver who cussed like it was a second language (but politely apologized after every word) and proudly informed us that she speeds—but it’s “fine” because police don’t pull over taxis. 😳 We finally made it to the hotel at 1:30am, five hours late and running on fumes. But in all the chaos, God reminded me: grace is still present, even when nothing else goes as planned. Sometimes all you can do is laugh, breathe, and thank Him for getting you through the mess—one meltdown, missed coffee, and wild cab ride at a time. “She is...

Growing and maintaining plants has never been my strong suit. I’ve always joked that if a plant can’t communicate its needs like my kids or my chickens, it’s in trouble. So, this whole bucket garden adventure? It’s been a big undertaking. At first, I thought the problem was too much rain. The plants were looking scraggly and weak—definitely not the lush container garden I had envisioned. Every time I looked outside, it was more discouraging than delightful. And honestly, I don’t need another thing in my life that brings me stress. So, I did what any reasonable, slightly overwhelmed gardener might do: I went to Home Depot, picked out some big, healthy plants, came home, and swapped them in. Out went the sad little stragglers, and in went vibrant, leafy greens. Now, when I look out at my garden, I actually smile. Do I still need to figure out what went wrong with the originals? Yes. It’s definitely not as straightforward as keeping chickens happy (and that’s saying something). It’s right...

  As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, our faithful flock is already in the patriotic spirit! Dressed in their red, white, and blue best, these sweet hens remind us that even a backyard coop can sparkle with joy, freedom, and a whole lot of feathers. 🐓🇺🇸 Whether they’re wearing a tiny top hat or a starry bowtie, each hen proudly represents the blessings we cherish — faith, family, and freedom. 💫 Happy Independence Day from Our Faithful Flock!

  It’s been sweltering here in Oklahoma, with days so hot the air feels heavy and still. And in the middle of it all, I find myself constantly watching my chickens. In the backyard chicken groups I follow, post after post tells of birds lost to the heat. There’s a flurry of advice: put out sprinklers, offer pans of ice water with bricks to perch on, give frozen treats like watermelon, keep fans running day and night. We’ve tried so many of those things. And while they help, I still found myself obsessively checking the cameras—seeing their beaks open, wings spread, panting to cool down. I could tell they were hot. I could tell I was stressed. The worry started to seep into everything. I wasn’t sleeping. I’d wake up at night, heart heavy with concern over these little creatures that God placed in our care. Then one night, I felt a quiet nudge in my heart. The Lord whispered, “Can you not trust Me with the chickens I gave you?” It stopped me in my tracks. And I realized, yes,...